Scan barcode
inspiretruth's review
1.0
DNF - 47%
Shadowed Loyalty is Roseanna M White’s latest release. Set in Chicago during the 1920s, the story takes us into the world of mafia, love, faith, and family. A tricky tightrope to walk, our protagonists — Sabina Mancari, Lorenzo Capecce, and Roman Oliveri — must make their way to the other side, but will they find their balance before it’s too late?
Summary: Sabina Mancari never questioned her life as the daughter of Chicago’s leading mob boss until bullets tear apart her world and the man she thought she loved turns out to be an undercover Prohibition agent. Ambushes, bribes, murder, prostitution—all her life, her father sheltered her from his crimes, but now she can no longer turn away from the truth. Maybe Lorenzo, the fiancé who barely paid her any attention in the last two years, has the right idea by planning to escape their world. But can she truly turn her back on her family?
My thoughts: Written in three narratives, Shadowed Loyalty is full of scandal and the fight between right and wrong; however, it wasn’t for me. While the beginning had me intrigued, as the plot unfolded, I found myself getting less interested in what would happen. Centering on Sabina’s love life and the push and pull between Lorenzo and Roman, I felt like there was no purpose or excitement in the build-up. Though I loved the setting and period, I wish the storyline focused more on mafia life than Sabina’s romance with two unexciting guys. Maybe I stopped too soon and missed out on the actions, but that’s for you to decide. I love Roseanna White and look forward to her new release, but, unfortunately, this novel just wasn’t for me.
*I received a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own*
Shadowed Loyalty is Roseanna M White’s latest release. Set in Chicago during the 1920s, the story takes us into the world of mafia, love, faith, and family. A tricky tightrope to walk, our protagonists — Sabina Mancari, Lorenzo Capecce, and Roman Oliveri — must make their way to the other side, but will they find their balance before it’s too late?
Summary: Sabina Mancari never questioned her life as the daughter of Chicago’s leading mob boss until bullets tear apart her world and the man she thought she loved turns out to be an undercover Prohibition agent. Ambushes, bribes, murder, prostitution—all her life, her father sheltered her from his crimes, but now she can no longer turn away from the truth. Maybe Lorenzo, the fiancé who barely paid her any attention in the last two years, has the right idea by planning to escape their world. But can she truly turn her back on her family?
My thoughts: Written in three narratives, Shadowed Loyalty is full of scandal and the fight between right and wrong; however, it wasn’t for me. While the beginning had me intrigued, as the plot unfolded, I found myself getting less interested in what would happen. Centering on Sabina’s love life and the push and pull between Lorenzo and Roman, I felt like there was no purpose or excitement in the build-up. Though I loved the setting and period, I wish the storyline focused more on mafia life than Sabina’s romance with two unexciting guys. Maybe I stopped too soon and missed out on the actions, but that’s for you to decide. I love Roseanna White and look forward to her new release, but, unfortunately, this novel just wasn’t for me.
*I received a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own*
hmbarnum1's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
termfor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
breezymor's review
4.0
I have definite mixed feelings about this book. It wasn’t bad by any means but I also didn’t love it like I normally do Roseanna M White’s books. It had a good plot line to it so it was just personal preference I’d say.
melmo2610's review
3.0
This gets a 2.5 stars from me, rounded up to 3 for Goodreads. This a complex and gritty story. Set in the middle of the Mafia and all that goes along with that, this story was definitely a harder read for me at times. Overall, for me the story was good but I just didn't click with it for it to be a story I loved. It's extremely well written and it has a good faith message but it given the heavy and sometimes dark storyline, I had a much harder time getting in to this one. Still worth the read though!
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
anothernicole's review
4.0
This was one of those books where I started missing the characters the minute I finished the book. It's been a week or two, but I'm still thinking about these intriguing, nuanced, genuine characters and their complicated journeys. Last I heard, this was a standalone novel, but I would read a whole series. I mean it.
[Full Disclosure (and yes, ok, kind of a brag :D): I know the author.]
[Full Disclosure (and yes, ok, kind of a brag :D): I know the author.]
melissasbookshelf's review
5.0
Roseanna M. White proves she can write in any time period! This latest standalone novel set in 1920’s Prohibition Era Chicago is perhaps Ms. White’s most raw, gritty, emotional work to date and somewhat of a departure from her other books. It completely captures the feel of the Roaring 20’s and the Italian mobster underworld. Trying to choose between an honest life and their families’ complicated legacy, Sabina and Enzo work to change their future and make their upcoming marriage successful. However, a government agent in love with Sabina is determine to foil their marriage plans and take down Sabina’s father.
While her famous mafioso father deals in illegal speakeasies and houses of ill repute, the beautiful Sabina enjoys the luxurious life his money offers. When the man who tempted her away from her fiancé turns out to be a government undercover agent, she’s forced to question everything about love, faith, her future, and her father. Seeing her fiancé Enzo again makes her realize her horrible mistakes, but will he forgive her? Can she free herself from the man who tempted her?
Three long years after proposing to Sabina, Lorenzo or Enzo has finally graduated from law school and is working as a defense attorney. He’s looking forward to marrying the woman he’s loved since childhood and wants to live an honest life free from his family’s underworld dealings. When he receives a distressed call from Sabina asking him to help her father, he immediately agrees, but is torn between his principles and helping the woman he loves. When he finds out about her unfaithfulness, he questions whether he can forgive her and ever really leave the mafia world.
Agent Roman O’Reilly can’t forget the forbidden mafioso’s daughter. Though he’s trying to put her father behind bars, he’s still in love with her. Determined to win her back, he tries to convince her that his love is more enticing than Enzo’s. All the while, he’s not exactly faithful and is working desperately to get the goods on Sabina’s father.
This complicated story of revenge, love, and forgiveness kept me turning the pages to see how it all would turn out. It does not hold back from expressing human weakness, temptation, and the seediness of the underworld, yet there are messages of forgiveness and goodness that shine through the darkness. The characters are flawed, complex, and deeply drawn. Even those who could be judged harshly show their humanity.
I loved Sabina’s and Enzo’s relationship. I appreciated how their childhood friendship changed to love then grew deeper as each character goes through real trials that test that love. Sabina seemed naive at first and a little spoiled, yet her character growth is impressive as she becomes more aware of her father’s world and learns what true love is. I grew to love Enzo and appreciated his faith, and devotion to Sabina.
With plenty of heart stopping suspense, romance, the glitz and glam of the 1920’s, and heartfelt messages of faith woven throughout, this book will pull you in and keep you reading til that last page. Highly recommend to Christian historical fiction and romance lovers. Thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced complimentary copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. 4 1/2 stars raised to 5.
While her famous mafioso father deals in illegal speakeasies and houses of ill repute, the beautiful Sabina enjoys the luxurious life his money offers. When the man who tempted her away from her fiancé turns out to be a government undercover agent, she’s forced to question everything about love, faith, her future, and her father. Seeing her fiancé Enzo again makes her realize her horrible mistakes, but will he forgive her? Can she free herself from the man who tempted her?
Three long years after proposing to Sabina, Lorenzo or Enzo has finally graduated from law school and is working as a defense attorney. He’s looking forward to marrying the woman he’s loved since childhood and wants to live an honest life free from his family’s underworld dealings. When he receives a distressed call from Sabina asking him to help her father, he immediately agrees, but is torn between his principles and helping the woman he loves. When he finds out about her unfaithfulness, he questions whether he can forgive her and ever really leave the mafia world.
Agent Roman O’Reilly can’t forget the forbidden mafioso’s daughter. Though he’s trying to put her father behind bars, he’s still in love with her. Determined to win her back, he tries to convince her that his love is more enticing than Enzo’s. All the while, he’s not exactly faithful and is working desperately to get the goods on Sabina’s father.
This complicated story of revenge, love, and forgiveness kept me turning the pages to see how it all would turn out. It does not hold back from expressing human weakness, temptation, and the seediness of the underworld, yet there are messages of forgiveness and goodness that shine through the darkness. The characters are flawed, complex, and deeply drawn. Even those who could be judged harshly show their humanity.
I loved Sabina’s and Enzo’s relationship. I appreciated how their childhood friendship changed to love then grew deeper as each character goes through real trials that test that love. Sabina seemed naive at first and a little spoiled, yet her character growth is impressive as she becomes more aware of her father’s world and learns what true love is. I grew to love Enzo and appreciated his faith, and devotion to Sabina.
With plenty of heart stopping suspense, romance, the glitz and glam of the 1920’s, and heartfelt messages of faith woven throughout, this book will pull you in and keep you reading til that last page. Highly recommend to Christian historical fiction and romance lovers. Thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced complimentary copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. 4 1/2 stars raised to 5.
sincerelylatisha's review
5.0
When I found out that Roseanna White (one of my favorite historical authors) was writing a book about the roarin' 20s and the Mafia, I was hooked.
This story, while being in White's unique voice, was different than her usual books. It was a lot grittier (not surprising given it's about the Mafia). The topics are heavy; alcohol (bootlegging), prostitution, murder, etc. However, White is a master of writing these topics without being graphic, which I really appreciate.
Sabina, the main female character, has such amazing character growth throughout the book and I really enjoyed that the love story in this book isn't like a typical book. The two main characters are already in a relationship (not married yet) but have drifted apart. The story focuses on them learning to reconcile and fight for each other. That was so refreshing to see in a book because often, books have the characters breaking up immediately instead of working out their issues.
Definitely a great read and although I believe this is a stand-alone, I would definitely be interested in reading more from these characters!
This story, while being in White's unique voice, was different than her usual books. It was a lot grittier (not surprising given it's about the Mafia). The topics are heavy; alcohol (bootlegging), prostitution, murder, etc. However, White is a master of writing these topics without being graphic, which I really appreciate.
Sabina, the main female character, has such amazing character growth throughout the book and I really enjoyed that the love story in this book isn't like a typical book. The two main characters are already in a relationship (not married yet) but have drifted apart. The story focuses on them learning to reconcile and fight for each other. That was so refreshing to see in a book because often, books have the characters breaking up immediately instead of working out their issues.
Definitely a great read and although I believe this is a stand-alone, I would definitely be interested in reading more from these characters!
booksaprilreads's review
5.0
I love Roseanne M. White’s historical fiction. She always weaves an amazing story full of history that keeps me reading late into the night. When I saw that she had ventured outside of her usual time period and setting, I knew I had I read it. Thank you to Just Read Tours for the opportunity to help promote this book.
Sabina Mancari is the daughter of a mafia boss. She thinks she has fallen in love with Roman, only to realize she was a big part of his attempt to take down her father.
Lorenzo is a lawyer determined to stay out of the life his family is part of, the mafia run by Sabina’s father. When he finds out that his fiancé, Sabina, has cheated on him, he can’t decide exactly what to do. He has loved her for so long and she has hurt him deeply.
A close call puts Sabina and Lorenzo on the path to reconciliation and it is such a journey. As they realize they are each only human, and that life together will mean being willing to forgive over and over, we see them become closer than ever before. At the same time, Roman is still trying to bring down Sabina’s father.
This story is such a wonderful journey. We see what life was like in Chicago during prohibition, when the mob was in such control. Underneath all of that is a journey of faith, and learning how to truly stand for what you believe in.
I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, Christian fiction, and someone wanting a different era to read in. I enjoyed everything about this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Sabina Mancari is the daughter of a mafia boss. She thinks she has fallen in love with Roman, only to realize she was a big part of his attempt to take down her father.
Lorenzo is a lawyer determined to stay out of the life his family is part of, the mafia run by Sabina’s father. When he finds out that his fiancé, Sabina, has cheated on him, he can’t decide exactly what to do. He has loved her for so long and she has hurt him deeply.
A close call puts Sabina and Lorenzo on the path to reconciliation and it is such a journey. As they realize they are each only human, and that life together will mean being willing to forgive over and over, we see them become closer than ever before. At the same time, Roman is still trying to bring down Sabina’s father.
This story is such a wonderful journey. We see what life was like in Chicago during prohibition, when the mob was in such control. Underneath all of that is a journey of faith, and learning how to truly stand for what you believe in.
I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, Christian fiction, and someone wanting a different era to read in. I enjoyed everything about this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.